cum|mer|bund /kʌ mə r bʌnd/ (cummerbunds ) N‑COUNT A cummerbund is a wide piece of cloth worn round the waist as part of a man's evening dress.
cu|mu|la|tive /kjuː mjʊlət I v/ ADJ If a series of events have a cumulative effect, each event makes the effect greater. □ Simple pleasures, such as a walk on a sunny day, have a cumulative effect on our mood. ● cu|mu|la|tive|ly ADV □ His administration was plagued by one petty scandal after another, cumulatively very damaging.
cu|mu|lus /kjuː mjʊləs/ (cumuli /kjuː mjʊla I /) N‑VAR Cumulus is a type of thick white cloud formed when hot air rises very quickly. □ …huge cumulus clouds.
cun|ni|lin|gus /kʌ n I l I ŋgəs/ N‑UNCOUNT Cunnilingus is oral sex which involves someone using their mouth to stimulate a woman's genitals.
cun|ning /kʌ n I ŋ/
1 ADJ Someone who is cunning has the ability to achieve things in a clever way, often by deceiving other people. □ These disturbed kids can be cunning. □ The clever folk in management came up with a cunning plan. ● cun|ning|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ They were cunningly disguised in golf clothes.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Cunning is the ability to achieve things in a clever way, often by deceiving other people. □ [+ of ] …one more example of the cunning of today's art thieves.
cunt /kʌ nt/ (cunts )
1 N‑COUNT Cunt is an offensive word that some people use to refer to a woman's vagina. [VERY RUDE ]
2 N‑COUNT If someone calls another person a cunt , they are expressing contempt for that person. [VERY OFFENSIVE , DISAPPROVAL ]
cup ◆◆◆ /kʌ p/ (cups , cupping , cupped )
1 N‑COUNT A cup is a small round container that you drink from. Cups usually have handles and are made from china or plastic. □ …cups and saucers. ● N‑COUNT A cup of something is the amount of something contained in a cup. □ [+ of ] Mix about four cups of white flour with a pinch of salt.
2 N‑COUNT Things, or parts of things, that are small, round, and hollow in shape can be referred to as cups . □ [+ of ] …the brass cups of the small chandelier.
3 N‑COUNT A cup is a large metal cup with two handles that is given to the winner of a game or competition.
4 N‑COUNT Cup is used in the names of some sports competitions in which the prize is a cup. □ Sri Lanka's cricket team will play India in the final of the Asia Cup.
5 VERB If you cup your hands , you make them into a curved shape like a cup. □ [V n prep] He cupped his hands around his mouth and called out for Diane. □ [V n] David knelt, cupped his hands and splashed river water on to his face. □ [V -ed] She held it in her cupped hands for us to see.
6 VERB If you cup something in your hands, you make your hands into a curved dish-like shape and support it or hold it gently. □ [V n prep] He cupped her chin in the palm of his hand. □ [V n] He cradled the baby in his arms, his hands cupping her tiny skull.
7 not your cup of tea → see tea
cup|board /kʌ bə r d/ (cupboards )
1 N‑COUNT A cupboard is a piece of furniture that has one or two doors, usually contains shelves, and is used to store things. In British English, cupboard refers to all kinds of furniture like this. In American English, closet is usually used instead to refer to larger pieces of furniture. □ The kitchen cupboard was stocked with tins of soup and food.
2 N‑COUNT A cupboard is a very small room that is used to store things, especially one without windows. [BRIT ] in AM, use closet 3 a skeleton in the cupboard → see skeleton
cup|cake /kʌ pke I k/ (cupcakes ) N‑COUNT Cupcakes are small iced cakes for one person.
cup|ful /kʌ pfʊl/ (cupfuls ) N‑COUNT A cupful of something is the amount of something a cup can contain. □ [+ of ] …a cupful of warm milk.
cu|pid /kjuː p I d/ (cupids ) also Cupid N‑PROPER Cupid is the Roman god of love. He is usually shown as a baby boy with wings and a bow and arrow. ● PHRASE If you say that someone is playing cupid , you mean that they are trying to bring two people together to start a romantic relationship. □ …the aristocrat who played Cupid to the Duke and Duchess.
cu|po|la /kjuː pələ/ (cupolas ) N‑COUNT A cupola is a roof or part of a roof that is shaped like a dome. [FORMAL ]
cup|pa /kʌ pə/ (cuppas ) N‑COUNT A cuppa is a cup of tea. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ Have you time for a cuppa?
cu p tie (cup ties ) also cup-tie N‑COUNT In sports, especially football, a cup tie is a match between two teams who are taking part in a competition in which the prize is a cup. [BRIT ]
cur /kɜː r / (curs ) N‑COUNT A cur is an unfriendly dog, especially a mongrel. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
cur|able /kjʊə rəb ə l/ ADJ If a disease or illness is curable , it can be cured. □ Most skin cancers are completely curable if detected in the early stages.
cu|rate (curates , curating , curated ) The noun is pronounced /kjʊə rət/. The verb is pronounced /kjʊre I t/. 1 N‑COUNT A curate is a clergyman in the Anglican Church who helps the priest.
2 VERB [usu passive] If an exhibition is curated by someone, they organize it. □ [be V -ed + by ] The Hayward exhibition has been curated by the artist Bernard Luthi.
cu|ra|tive /kjʊə rət I v/ ADJ Something that has curative properties can cure people's illnesses. [FORMAL ] □ Ancient civilizations believed in the curative powers of fresh air and sunlight.